16.12 pct of loans at end of Q1 non-performing

Of the HRK 267 billion in bank loans at the end of the first quarter of 2016, 16.12% were non-performing (HRK 43b), according to the latest Croatian National Bank figures.

At the end of 2015, 16.65% of bank loans were non-performing (HRK 45.87b), while at the end of last year's Q1, 16.11% were non-performing (HRK 45.8b).

The highest share of non-performing loans was recorded at the end of Q3 2014, when they made up 17.24% of all bank lending (HRK 47.6b).

At the end of Q1 2016, Swiss franc loans accounted for the highest percentage of non-performing loans (55.32%). The amount of lending denominated in Swiss francs is falling, reaching nearly HRK 20 million at the end of 2015, but non-performing CHF loans are increasing, reaching 21.78% at the end of last year.

Lending in the national currency totalled HRK 82.76 billion at the end of Q1 2016 and 16.49% were non-performing loans. Lending in euros totalled HRK 175.5 billion and 14.76% were non-performing loans.

Beirut (dpa) - Syrian government forces and their allies advanced deeper into the shrinking rebel-held enclave in eastern Aleppo on Wednesday, seizing the Old City, while demanding the armed opposition groups leave the area.